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market-farming - Re: Organic industry vs. organic movement

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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: "Rick Williams" <mrfarm AT frontiernet.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Organic industry vs. organic movement
  • Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 19:53:05 -0500


paul and barb wrote:
Of course we have
> underclasses, especially in agriculture, whose conditions are slavery in
> every way but the name.

We have underclasses and some are in agriculture. We will always have some
underclass. But in no way is it slavery. The only people who are slaves in
the U.S. are those who have a mindset that causes them to believe that they
are slaves. Many of us come from relatively humble beginnings and unlike any
other country on earth, the United States has opportunities unavailable
elsewhere. Even your race, ethnicity, or economic class you are born into
has less to do with success than your entrepreneurship and abilities.

> Ranchers tell me if you're ranching these days you're not working
> for yourself, you're working for the government, for peanuts, and there's
> no escape without losing everything.

The government is acting as the buyer of last resort and commodity supporter
for many farmers. Unfortunately, there are so many unintended consequences
and over the long haul does not benefit those farmers and ranchers as much
as intended. Our best bet is to let the markets shake things out. Although
it is painful, it is necessary to return to a supply and demand balance
rather than build in a system that keeps the bottom producers just barely
hanging on by a thread year after year. Prices would be lower and
opportunities would become available for younger people who are currently
locked out of the market due to ever higher prices for real estate.

> But everyone should know by now that little is done in government that is
> democratic, and little is done in agricultural policy that
> represents any "
> basic structure in society that is enforced through laws that reflect the
> moral beliefs of the citizens".

Maybe this is true in some countries. Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia come to mind.
But in the U.S. government is based upon and practices democratic
representation. Remember, we are not a pure democracy. We are a Republic.
This helps to protect the minority from an out of control majority.
Agricultural policy is primarily based upon what we as farmers have asked
for. And we have gotten it almost everytime. Why? Because as a group,
farmers have far more impact considering our tiny percentage of the
population. But as a special interest(s), we do get enormous transfers of
wealth from the other citizens who thus far put up with it.

> You can go the next logical step and take note that U.S.
> agricultural policy hasn't been responsive to the citizens for
> many decades
> now, and follow through to your own conclusion.

Again, agricultural policy is what the FARMERS have asked for. Not what the
average citizen has asked for. If you want to set policy you must be a
member of a farm organization, and offer your resolutions. And hope that the
majority of farmers agree with you.

It is about the most democratic system there is. When everything is sifted
and winnowed at the end of the year, the farm organizations, particularly
the American Farm Bureau Federation, has tremendous clout with our elected
representatives. Far more than would ever be expected by our numbers.

I have frequently found that those who don't like the current agricultural
policies are also the people who are not even active politically in the farm
organization of their choice. Remember that it is the folks who show up to
the meeting who actually vote on the policies that affect the rest of us.
Although I finished my 3 year term on our County FB Cooperative, I
volunteered to be a voting delegate to the state. As we have seen, with
hundreds of delegates just from our state, the leadership has no choice but
to accept the majority position. And I have seen the position shift 180
degrees from what was expected.

I have also been overwhelmingly voted down too:( But hey, that is the
democratic process.

> U.S. agriculture in general is very far from the ideals of Jefferson, from
> Wendell Berry and Kenny Ausubel of today. I feel market farming
> is basic to
> bring back what's best in rural America.

The world is nothing like it was when Thomas Jefferson lived. Things had to
change and things will continue to change. Many of us have seen very
significant changes in our lifetime with more to come. Some good and some
bad depending upon your beliefs and values. Market farming is meeting a need
for some people. But it is a very small percentage. It may help a few in
rural America, but the great majority of farmers are and always will be
commodity producers.

> "If America could be, once again, a nation of self-reliant farmers,
> craftsmen, hunters, ranchers and artists, then the rich would have little
> power to dominate others. Neither to serve nor rule: That was the American
> dream,"

This is a dream in terms of todays interconnected world. It is long past
except for a few who may chose to live an alternate lifestyle. But, you can
do it if you choose to do it if you live in the U.S. Many of our friends in
the 1970's did this. Most however, did return to conventional society later
on.

Sincerely,

Rick Williams
Misty Ridge Farm
Dairy heifers and dairy beef graziers
Viroqua, WI

www.mistyridgefarm.com


"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in
your philosophy."

Hamlet (I, v, 166-167)






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